This document discusses different types of computer software, including application software and system software. It provides examples of various application software such as word processing programs, spreadsheets, presentation software, and personal information managers. It also discusses types of system software like operating systems and database management systems. The document outlines the basic functions of operating systems, which include managing resources, files, and tasks to maximize productivity and efficiency.

1. Chapter - 4
Computer Software

2. Software
• Software are programs that are used to
operate and manipulate computers and their
peripheral devices
• A set of instruction code that are executed by
the system processor
• Application software and System software

3. Types of Application & System Software

4. Application Software
• General Purpose
– Programs that perform common information
processing jobs for end users
– E.g., word processing, spreadsheet
– Also call productivity packages
– Virtual owner owns intellectual property rights

5. • Custom Software
– Software applications developed within an
organization for use by that organization
– Organization who develops it also uses it
– Changes big or small, occur at any time
– Have full control
– Access to the coding and documentation
Application Software

6. • Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)
– Many copies sold
– Minimal changes beyond scheduled upgrades
– Purchasers have no control over specifications,
schedule, or evolution, and no access to source
code or internal documentation
– Product vendor retains the intellectual property
rights of the software
Application Software

7. • Open-source Software
– Developers collaborate on the development of an
application using programming standards which
allow anyone to contribute to the software
– As each developer completes a project, the
application code becomes available and free to
anyone who wants it
Application Software

8. • Function-Specific Application Software
Business Application software / Application specific programs
– Thousands of these packages support specific
applications of end users, especially in businesses
– Business application software supports the
reengineering and automation of business processes
with strategic e-business applications
– Examples: customer relationship management,
enterprise resource planning, supply chain
management, Web-enabled electronic commerce ,
data mining tools, enterprise information portals, KMS
Application Software

9. Software Suites, Integrated Packages
• Most widely used productivity packages are
bundled together as software suites
• Advantages
Cost less than buying individual packages
All have similar GUI
Work well together
• Disadvantages
All features not used
Takes a lot of disk space (bloatware)
Application Software

10. 4-10
Presentation Graphics
• Common presentation graphics packages…
– Converts numeric data into graphics displays
– Used to create multimedia presentations of
graphics, photos, animation, and video clips
– E.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Lotus Freelance, Corel
Presentations
– Top packages can tailor files for transfer in HTML
format to websites

11. 4-11
Personal Information Managers
• Software for end user productivity and
collaboration
– Stores information about clients
– Manages schedules, appointments, tasks
– Most include ability to access the Web and
provide e-mail capabilities
– Some support team collaboration by sharing
information with other PIM users
– E.g., Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook

12. 4-12
Groupware
• Software that helps workgroups collaborate
on group assignments
– E-mail, discussion groups, databases, video
conferencing
– E.g., Lotus Notes, Novell GroupWise, Microsoft
Exchange
– Windows SharePoint Services and WebSphere
both allow teams to create websites for
information sharing and document collaboration

13. 4-13
Software Alternatives
• Outsourcing development and maintenance of
software
• Application service providers (ASPs)
– Companies that own, operate, and maintain
application software and computer system
resources
– Use the application for a fee over the Internet
– Pay-as-you-go
– Use expected to accelerate in the coming years

14. System Software
• System software are the programs that
manage and support a computer system and
its information processing activities
• 2 Types of system software
– System Management Programs
• The programs that manage the hardware,
software, network and data resources of computer
systems during the execution of various
information processing jobs of users
• Ex. OS, DBMS, Network Mgmt Sys, System Utilities

15. System Software
• 2 Types of system software
– System Development Programs
• Programs that help user to develop information
processing programs and procedures and prepare user
programs for computer processing.
• Ex. Programing language translators and editors, CASE

16. System Software
Operating System
• Integrated system of programs that
– Manages the operation of CPU
– Controls Input/Output, Storage resources and activities of
computer system
– Provides various support services as the computer
executes the application programs of users
• Helping access a network, entering data, saving and retrieving
files, printing and displaying output
• Primary purpose of OS is to maximize the productivity
of a computer system by operating it in the most
efficient manner
• OS tries to minimize the human intervention required
during processing
• Most indispensable component of the software
interface between users and the hardware

17. Interface Between End Users and Computer

18. Operating System Basic Functions

19. 1. User Interface
• The part of the operating system that allows you to
communicate with it
• Three main types: Command-driven, Menu-driven, GUI
2. Resource Management
• Part of the operating system that manages the hardware and
networking resources of a computer system
– Includes CPU, memory, secondary storage devices,
telecommunications, and input/output peripherals
– Keeping track of where data and programs are stored
– Subdividing memory; providing virtual memory capability
Operating System Basic Functions

20. 3. File Management
• Part of the operating system that controls the creation,
deletion, and access of files and programs
– Keeps track of physical location on storage devices
– Maintains directories of information about the location and
characteristics of stored files
4. Task Management
• Part of the operating system that manages the
accomplishment of end user computing tasks
– Controls which task gets access to the CPU,
and for how long
– Can interrupt the CPU at any time to substitute
a higher priority task
– Supports preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking and multi-
processing
Operating System Basic Functions

21. Other system management programs
• Utilities
– Miscellaneous housekeeping functions
– Example: Norton utilities includes data backup,
virus protection, data compression, etc.
• Performance Monitors
– Programs that monitor and adjust computer
system to keep them running efficiently
• Security Monitors
– Monitor and control use of computer systems
to prevent unauthorized use of resources

22. Middleware
• Application Servers provide an interface
between an operating system and the
application programs of users
• Middleware
– Software that helps diverse software applications
exchange data and work together more efficiently
– Web